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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Dusting off the old blog to help out a good cause. Below is a message from the good folks at Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative (PCDI). They have started a crowd-funding campaign in order to raise money to build the The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. Please read their press release below and think of contributing!Hope everyone is well out there! ~ ReBecca

$1,000,000 in 120 Days

The PCDI launches a crowd-funding campaign on Friday

Bring in the crowds! This Friday, Oct. 12, the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative (PCDI) is launching a crowd-funding campaign to help build the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.
Hosted by Indiegogo.com, the Initiative is aiming to raise $1,000,000 in 120 days.

For those not familiar with crowd-funding, this is a relatively new, fun and fast-paced way to
raise funds online for projects of any size and scope.

The premise is simple. The site gives projects space to create an online profile outlining their
mission. Would-be donors can go online to read about the project, explore the positive impacts
it will have, check out a photo gallery, watch videos and generally decide if they’re interested in
contributing to its success. Donors can then donate online, through a secure credit card
payment or Paypal ™, similar to online shopping.

Donations start at a minimum $10 and can be any amount thereafter. Gifts called ‘perks’ are
provided according to the size of donation. These range from a museum pin all the way up to a
naming opportunity on a room or gallery in the museum. Other perks include a limited edition
print by acclaimed palaeo-artist Julius Csotonyi and an autographed book by Dr. Philip Currie.
The entire list of perks is available at the online campaign profile.

“This campaign already has a lot of excitement surrounding it. We’re urging all community
members to go and donate,” said PCDI executive director Brian Brake, “Every bit makes a
difference when it’s a crowd.”

Indiegogo.com is a well-respected crowd-funding host site. Some may recall the story of Karen
Klein, the bus monitor in Greece, New York who was videoed this past July as she was verbally
harassed by some youth on a bus. After the video was made public, a Good Samaritan created a profile for Klein on Indiegogo.com to raise money to give her a vacation. For a $5,000 goal, over
$720,000 was raised.

“One of the most important things is to spread this around the world,” said Brake. “We’re
asking everyone to put it on their Facebook and Twitter accounts and email it out to their entire
contact list. We have 120 days to hit our goal; we need people to move quickly.”

The Philip J. Currie Museum currently has $17.4 million raised of $30 million. A sponsorship
program engaging the local municipalities to bring that figure up to $27.4 million is currently
underway. To complete the funding, a naming opportunities sponsorship program is also in
progress, offering significant donors the chance to have their name affixed to a room, display or
area in the museum. The projected timeline for the museum’s creation includes going to tender
in January 2013, breaking ground in April 2013 and hosting a grand opening in June 2014.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Job Description: The Standing Rock Indian Reservation is one of the largest reservations in the United States and the only Tribe with a Paleontology Department. Under the direction of the Tribal Paleontologist - consultants, students and volunteers assist in fieldwork in the fossil-rich badlands of South Dakota. The Standing Rock Paleontology Department is searching for a Field Paleontologist to assist the Tribal Paleontologist during the 2012 Field Season (June to August) in the collection of and exploration for fossils.

The Field Paleontologist is responsible for assisting the Tribal Paleontologist in managing the field staff and ensuring that the field paleontology program operates efficiently. The incumbent will be expected to supervise several field assistants and/or volunteers of varying skill and knowledge levels, know and teach various field paleontology methods and techniques, and be able to keep good field notes and documentation of fossil localities. During times of inclement weather, work will be temporarily moved to the Paleontology Lab in Fort Yates, ND where the incumbent will assist in regular lab work including, fossil preparation and molding and casting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead/supervise teams of two or more Field Assistants and/or volunteers in the prospecting for and excavation of fossils.

Will take an active role in fossil prospecting, collection and excavation.

Reports to the Field Paleontology Supervisor(s) on a daily basis.

Assists the Field Paleontology Supervisor(s) in managing the field crew and camp maintenance.

Responsible for helping with field camp maintenance including but not limited to mowing grass, organizing tools and equipment, cleaning vehicles and ensuring that the camp is kept tidy and in good working order.

Assist in fossil preparation, molding and casting.

Assist in fossil identification and cataloging.

Will help to train new Field Assistants and teach proper field methods and techniques to Field Assistants and volunteers.

Ensure compliance of Field Assistants and volunteers with departmental policies and regulations.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in paleontology preferred; Bachelor’s degree in geology or related field with field work experience acceptable.

Must have knowledge of geological and paleontological concepts, methods and techniques.

Must have paleontology field work experience.

Must be able to lift heavy loads and work under adverse conditions typical for the badlands of South Dakota.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to provide own transportation to and from the field camp.

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in paleontology (preferred) or Bachelor’s degree in geology or related field with paleontology field work experience. Must have knowledge of geological and paleontological concepts, methods and techniques. Must be able to lift heavy loads and work under adverse conditions typical for the badlands of South Dakota. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to provide own transportation to and from the field camp. Salary commensurate with experience.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

I am interested in obtaining some used/torn/brittle/old/new/or no-longer-needed geologic maps (or even topos). Does anyone have any they would like to get rid of or see given a second life? Something gathering dust in your lab or shoved in a corner? Just leave me a comment here or send me an email. Thanks!